Trump Merch Store in Chicago Suburb Closes After Low Sales Amid Iran War

Owner blames poor sales on backlash to President Trump's unpopular war with Iran.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone Trump merchandise display stand in a dimly lit room, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of melancholy and isolation.The closure of a Trump merchandise store in a Chicago suburb reflects the broader political and economic challenges facing the former president and his supporters amid an unpopular war.Crystal Lake Today

A Trump merchandise store called the Trump Truth Store in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, has closed down just a few months after opening. The store's owner, Lisa Fleischmann, cited poor sales and blamed the downturn on President Trump's unpopular war with Iran, which she believes has driven away potential customers.

Why it matters

The closure of this Trump-themed merchandise store highlights the broader political and economic challenges facing the former president and his supporters. The war with Iran has been widely unpopular, even among Trump's base, and is seen as contributing to economic uncertainty that is hurting small businesses like this one.

The details

The Trump Truth Store was stocked with various pro-Trump merchandise like t-shirts, but Fleischmann says sales 'were really slow' after Trump launched the war with Iran on February 28th. She believes customers are hesitant to wear or buy Trump-related items due to the conflict. Fleischmann had only moved the store to its current location in mid-January before having to close it just a few months later.

  • The Trump Truth Store opened in Crystal Lake, Illinois in mid-January 2026.
  • President Trump launched the war with Iran on February 28, 2026.
  • The Trump Truth Store closed in late March 2026, just a few months after opening.

The players

Lisa Fleischmann

The owner of the Trump Truth Store in Crystal Lake, Illinois, who was forced to close the store due to poor sales that she attributes to President Trump's unpopular war with Iran.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose war with Iran is seen as contributing to the downfall of this pro-Trump merchandise store.

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What they’re saying

“Sales were really slow. It all started with the war. It was dead as a door nail the minute that happened.”

— Lisa Fleischmann, Owner, Trump Truth Store

“I think (customers) are unsure what's going on. Not everyone. But I think a majority of people are unsure what's going on... And if you wear it, they feel someone might come up to them and ask them questions.”

— Lisa Fleischmann, Owner, Trump Truth Store

What’s next

Fleischmann remains hopeful that the store could reopen in the future if President Trump regains popularity, noting that sales also suffered after his 'Liberation Day' tariffs last year before he backed down. She believes the Trump administration wants people to 'celebrate the 250th anniversary of America in style' and that the economy will improve.

The takeaway

The closure of this Trump merchandise store in a Chicago suburb underscores the political and economic challenges facing the former president and his supporters. The unpopular war with Iran has hurt Trump's approval ratings and appears to be directly impacting small businesses that rely on pro-Trump sentiment.